Maternal and child health

We offer free 45-minute face-to-face appointments with a qualified lactation consultant.

For extra support, please note that you can also find more breastfeeding support information on the Australian Breastfeeding Association website. This website includes online forums and the organisation also has a 24-hour helpline (1800 686 268).

When: Every Tuesday, all day. Bookings are essential.

Location: Middle Park MCH Centre, 256 Richardson St, Middle Park.

How to book: Bookings can be organised through your Maternal and Child Health nurse or by contacting the MCH Administration Team on 03 9209 6766 or via mchadmin@portphillip.vic.gov.au.

When attending please bring:

• Your child infant health record (green book)
• Any breastfeeding aids, for example: nipple shield
• Burping cloth and wrap
• Bottle of water for the parent

We offer sleep and settling outreach consultations for families experiencing sleep and settling concerns.

The consultations provide more intensive and tailored sleep and settling information. It also provides support to parents and caregivers in their home or other suitable community settling.

If you are in need of an in-home sleep and settle consultation, please fill out this form.

We offer free information sessions which focus on introducing solid food to babies and toddlers. These sessions are run by a MCH Nurse who is available to answer any questions you have, offer food suggestions, and to support you in any other way with your child’s food journey.

Watch our video featuring an MCH nurse explaining the basics of introducing solid foods to your baby's diet.

When: Fourth Wednesday of every month, 9.30 to 10.30 am

Where: Middle Park Community Hall, 254-256, Richardson St, Middle Park 3206

How to book: Register here. Bookings are essential.

Join us for a free 90-minute workshop delivered by Paramedics from Ambulance Victoria. 

This practical session will teach you essential life-saving skills, including:

• How to recognise a health emergency
• How to call 000 (triple zero)
• How to perform CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation)
• How to use an AED (Automated External Defibrillator)

When: Wednesday, 19 November 2025 - 1.15pm to 2.45pm

Where: Middle Park Community Hall, 254-256, Richardson St, Middle Park 3206

Cost: FREE

In partnership with Ambulance Victoria

Register here

If you are a first-time parent, your Maternal and Child Health Nurse will invite you to attend a New Parent Group. In these sessions, a range of topics are discussed to support you and your baby in the parenting journey. These groups are a great opportunity for you to share your experiences with other local parents (or to just listen to theirs), make new friends, and also to develop a support network.

These face-to-face sessions are held once a week at your MCH centre for six weeks. After these sessions, you and the other parents can choose to continue meeting at a different location or to form a playgroup. Find out more about forming a playgroup.

The Enhanced Maternal and Child Health service is available for families who require additional support and guidance in their own home environment.

In order to access this program, you need to have a referral from a professional such as your MCH nurse, a hospital worker, or support worker.

If you are a professional and want to make a referral to us, please fill out our online referral form.

For more information please email us via mchenhanced@portphillip.vic.gov.au or call us on 03 9209 6766.

The Maternal and Child Health Service now offer Key Age and Stage appointments in a childcare setting.

You can organise for your child's next MCH check to be in childcare. Please fill in our online outreach consent form to let us know. We can then organise a time.

Use the free MCH app to find accurate and reliable information about your child’s health, learning and development. The app was developed by the Victorian Government. The app can also be used to keep track of upcoming MCH appointments and find important health contacts.

This app can be personalised and is available for Apple and Android smartphones.

Telephone: 13 22 29
Qualified Maternal and Child Health nurses provide information, support and advice to Victorian families with children from birth to school age (5 years old) 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Telephone: 1800 686 268
The Australian Breastfeeding Helpline is available seven days a week. The helpline is staffed by trained volunteers with breastfeeding knowledge and experience.

Telephone: 13 12 79
A child in need of protection is a child who has suffered or is likely to suffer significant harm as a result of abuse or neglect, and there is no one to protect them. If you believe that a child is in need of protection please call the Child Protection Crisis Line.

Telephone: 13 11 26
24 hour-a-day, 7 day-a-week advice on poisoning, bites and stings.

Telephone: 1300 726 306 Monday – Friday 9am – 7.30pm (AEST/AEDT)
National Perinatal Mental Health Helpline for women, men and their families affected by perinatal mental illness.

Website: Raising Children Network

The Raising Children's Network work to provide free, up-to-date and independent information to help your family grow and thrive together. They are funded by the Australian Government, with their reviewed by experts.

Website Better Health Network

The Better Health Network website provide health and medical information, and is fully funded by the Victorian Government, with no commercial advertising or corporate sponsorship.